Being in China, I am now also a user of Baidu, the closest competition to Google here. Baidu maps is actually quite useful because it also combines the features of HopStop.com. The site will concisely tell you what train or bus to take, where to get off, how far you have to walk, and approximately how long the whole process will take. It usually offers you a few options based on travel time versus number of transfers plus up to date traffic conditions. Baidu maps is a total necessity for someone unfamiliar with Chinese cities.
Then, one day over the May 1 Labor Day holiday, I went on Baidu to find a half-assed alteration in Baidu's logo in order to commemorate the holiday. Not only did the altered logo look uninspiringly like clip art---but this is Google's thing! As an American, I was outraged. Why must China copy everything and turn out a less than adequate replica?! I would like to boycott Baidu in protest...but then I would have to rely on vague street maps and unkindly cab drivers...what's a girl to do.
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